The band’s peculiar journey– a labyrinthine saga that’s taken them from high school talent shows to amphitheatre stages– has yielded a spectacular bounty in the sun struck pop perfection of their latest album, the Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World) produced THE BULL THE BALLOON AND THE FAMILY.
Reubens Accomplice has made a name for itself in recent years touring with the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Promise Ring, The Weakerthans and No Knife, and building a dedicated fan base throughout the U.S. The group’s 2001 full-length debut I Blame The Scenery (released on Los Angeles’ Better Looking Records) helped establish them as critical and cult faves.
In 2002 the group’s rhythm section, bassist Andy Eames and drummer Jim Knapp, departed the band for careers as a farmer and federal prosecutor, respectively. Unbowed by the loss, the newly reconstituted Reubens Accomplice entered the studio last spring with Jimmy Eat World mainman Jim Adkins to record their much-anticipated sophomore album, THE BULL THE BALLOON AND THE FAMILY.
The disc is an aptly titled affair as the band enlists several members of its extended “family” to aid in this impressive 13-song effort. Guests include producer Adkins, Howe Gelb (Giant Sand, Band of Blacky Ranchette), David Bazan (Pedro the Lion), Jon Rauhouse (Neko Case, Old 97s), as well as a talented crew of West Coast luminaries (Matt Maher, Ryan Kennedy, John O’Reilly Jr.).
Mixed by Chris Fudurich (Nada Surf, Matthew Sweet), THE BULL THE BALLOON AND THE FAMILY combines the plangent guitars and yearning, almost genetic harmonies of Bufano and Corak. The album is a mélange of urgent rock and bouncy pop, fantastically infectious anthems and haltingly emotive balladry.
Reubens Accomplice is the flagship act on the newly launched Western Tread Recordings. The imprint is an Arizona-based venture between Jim Adkins and Phoenix music impresario Charles Levy. Western Tread has already released titles from Jimmy Eat World (a vinyl reissue of 2001’s multi-platinum self-titled album and a vinyl version of the bands latest, "Futures") and the debut EP from Atlantic recording artists The Format.
It Is What It Is
Reubens Accomplice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
False maturity
There's no universal truth
No blueprint to help you follow you
It's all up to you
So be proud of what you do
'Cause it is what it is what it is what it is
And when you have to go I know
And when you have to go I know
And when you have to go I know
I know, I know, I know
And my mind just keeps reeling about this
Empty feeling
Yeah this thought process seems so endless
Like oceans, and oceans, and oceans, and oceans,
And oh shit, radio killed honesty
Like high school popularity
And maybe we should all just get over it.
Pretend like we don't know who each other are
'Cause that's not far from the truth
But my heart is proof that I want to know
I don't want to let go
But if you have to go I know
And when you have to go I know
And if you have to go I know
And when you have to go I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I'm sorry about your relationship
But you're making yourself sick
God damn, get over it
It is what it is what it is what it is
And oh shit, radio killed honesty
Like high school popularity
And maybe we should all just get over it
Well maybe we should all just get over it
Oh shit, radio killed honesty
Like high school popularity
And maybe we should all just get over it
The lyrics of Reuben's Accomplice's song 'It Is What It Is' are reflective of the frustration, confusion, and sadness that many people feel as they navigate through life's uncertainties. The opening lines 'I could obscure these words with poetry, False maturity' suggest a desire to express emotions honestly and accurately, rather than hiding behind surface-level pretension or social expectations. The lines 'There's no universal truth, No blueprint to help you follow you, It's all up to you, So be proud of what you do, 'Cause it is what it is what it is what it is' encourage listeners to embrace the reality that they are solely responsible for their choices and actions, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for life's challenges.
The repetition of the lines 'When you have to go I know, I know, I know' creates a sense of longing, acknowledging that sometimes good things must come to an end. The lines 'And my mind just keeps reeling about this, Empty feeling, Yeah this thought process seems so endless, Like oceans, and oceans, and oceans, and oceans' convey a sense of being overwhelmed or stuck in cyclical thinking, unable to escape an emotional void. The lines 'And oh shit, radio killed honesty, Like high school popularity, And maybe we should all just get over it' point to the dangers of widespread media culture that promotes surface-level relationships and conformity, rather than fostering genuine connection and authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
I could obscure these words with poetry
I could hide the true meaning of my words with flowery language
False maturity
Pretending to be mature while ignoring the harsh realities of life
There's no universal truth
There are no absolute truths that apply to every situation
No blueprint to help you follow you
No one can tell you how to live your life, you have to figure it out on your own
It's all up to you
You are responsible for the direction of your own life
So be proud of what you do
Take pride in your own accomplishments, regardless of what others might say
'Cause it is what it is what it is what it is
Accept things as they are, without trying to make them something they're not
When you have to go I know
I understand that sometimes people need to move on
And my mind just keeps reeling about this
I can't stop thinking about this situation
Empty feeling
Feeling emotionally drained and unsatisfied
Yeah this thought process seems so endless
It feels like I can't stop analyzing this situation
Like oceans, and oceans, and oceans, and oceans,
The overwhelming depth of my thoughts and emotions
And oh shit, radio killed honesty
The media has distorted the truth, making it difficult to discern what's real
Like high school popularity
People are more concerned with popularity and fitting in than being honest
And maybe we should all just get over it.
We need to move past our preconceived notions and biases
Pretend like we don't know who each other are
Acting like we are strangers to each other in order to avoid confrontation
'Cause that's not far from the truth
Our interactions have become so shallow that we barely know each other at all
But my heart is proof that I want to know
Despite our superficial conversations, I still care about you on a deeper level
I don't want to let go
I don't want to lose our connection, even if it's just on a small level
I'm sorry about your relationship
I sympathize with your struggles in your romantic relationship
But you're making yourself sick
The stress and anxiety from the relationship is negatively affecting your health
God damn, get over it
Stop dwelling on it and move on
Well maybe we should all just get over it
Maybe we should all try to move past our problems and focus on the bigger picture
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind